Calling All Young Stock Handlers!

Mole Valley Young Handlers Series 2018

Young Handlers - Supporting the Next Generation

The Mole Valley Farmer Young Handlers Series 2018 culminated at Holsworthy & Stratton Show on Thursday 23 August. The final classes in Mole Valley Farmers’ Young Handlers Series 2018 were held at Holsworthy & Stratton Show on Thursday 23 August.

The children with the top three scores in each category received a cup and sash, class winner rosettes plus £100 of Mole Valley Farmers vouchers; £50 for second place and £25 for third place.

Phoebe Hart, who is based at Mole Valley Farmers’ Holsworthy store, created and runs the Series. Phoebe said:

“Congratulations to all our winners and many thanks to all the children who have worked so hard over the summer showing their animals in our classes across the South West. It has been good getting to know them and lovely to see how their skills developed. At each show the Leader Board was situated at the Mole Valley Farmers Marquee and the children were always excited to see where they stood on it. Many a parent has been persuaded to attend a show many miles away to help try and secure those precious extra points! So well done and if you didn’t make the top three this year, please come again in 2019!”

The Series, which started at Liskeard Show in July, was open to young stock handlers aged 12 and under on 1 January 2018 in Sheep, Beef and Dairy classes. Its aims to inspire and nurture young farmers under the banner of ‘Supporting the next generation.

The three children who won their respective class in 2017 were Bella Martin Uglow (Sheep); Anna Mortimer (Dairy) and Cerys Osbourne (Beef).

----- Leaderboard -----

Dairy:

1st Anna Mortimer 14

2nd Matthew Rowland 10

3rd Lily Cleave, Bethany Murch 6

Beef:

1st Bea Hooper 17

2nd Cerys Osborne 11

3rd Jack Moon, Harriet Moon 7

Sheep:

1st Bella Martyn Uglow 9

2nd Amy Coumbe 8

3rd Samuel Nancekivell, Carina Dawe, Cerys Osborne, Jack Burlton 6

BELLA MARTIN UGLOW

At the tender age of four years old, Bella is already in her second full year of sheep showing! She is the youngest registered member of the Border Leicester breed society and a registered keeper in her own right. Her flock is known as ‘Bella's Boarder Leicesters’.

Her top sheep include Rupert, Helen and Opal. Due to having triplets this year, (and all ewe lambs too!), Opal is on 'maternity leave', so won’t be in the show ring this season.

Bella’s parents Lesley and Phil have recently moved home to the family beef and sheep farm in Boyton, near Launceston, Cornwall to join Lesley's parent's. The family have a long history of showing, particularly Border Leicester's. So the future’s bright for the next generation, as Bella and her little sister Sibyl are both keen farmers, who are becoming rather useful, especially at lambing time.

Phoebe Downton, who is based at Mole Valley Farmers’ Holsworthy store, runs the Series. Phoebe explains:

“Bella was a very worthy and professional winner last year of the Sheep category despite being only three at the time. With Anna and Kerys, she is one of our Young Handler Series Ambassadors for 2018. They are great role models for other youngsters who will hopefully be inspired to join us in the showring this year. As shows are where town meets country, they are great places for the agricultural community to display their livestock and demonstrate what an integral part of the countryside farmers are. It’s always lovely to see different generations coming together to promote their prefix. ”

She continued:

“Mole Valley Farmers understands that the future of the industry rests on ensuring that the younger generation is motivated, knowledgeable and keen to join the family ‘firm’. We believe that our Young Handlers Series is helping to do just this. As a business we regularly get involved with Young Farmers Club initiatives, but the Young Handlers Series enables us to also support their younger brothers and sisters.”

The qualifying shows are:

·Saturday 14 July – LISKEARD

·Thursday 26 July – LAUNCESTON

·Monday 30 July – WOOLSERY

·Wednesday 1 August – NORTH DEVON

·Wednesday 8 August – CAMELFORD

·Thursday 9 August – OKEHAMPTON

·Friday 17th August – DUNSTER

·Thursday 23 August – HOLSWORTHY

Children placed first, second or third in the Young Handler Series are allotted points throughout the season.

The Series culminates at Holsworthy & Stratton Show, with a special presentation to the children with the top three scores in each category. The winner will receive a cup and sash, plus £100 of Mole Valley Farmers vouchers; £50 for second place and £25 for third place.